Page 88 of Shadow & Stars
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ROMAN
Ispotted him beside a golden puddle, his head thrown back, Teen Me gesticulating at him.
“Xavier!”
The kid faced me, jumping up and down. “Over here!”
No shit, Miss Marple.
Xavier looked at me, his body in his part-shifted form.
I ran over, doing that recent thing of mine to try touching my demon lover.
Damn my ghostliness.
“What happened?” I asked. “And what the hell is that gold shit on the floor?”
“Another time thingy,” Teen Me answered.
The dagger went wild, my chest suddenly on fire. “Fuck!”
Teen Me jumped back with a yelp. “I’m sorry!”
God, my insides were in agony. “It’s…okay.” It really wasn’t, though. It hurt like crazy.
“Roman! Come to me!” Grandma called. “Come!”
He hurried away, the dagger going still, the pain gone just like that.
“Holy shit,” I breathed. “I can’t take any more of this.”
“Roman. It’s me.”
Everything took a pause, Xavier’s voice echoing in my ears.
I looked up at him. “Huh?”
“It’s me. All of me.”
Tremors rocked my body, a breathlessness taking over. “All of you?”
He nodded, offering up his incredible smile. He shifted into his human form, those icy blue eyes back as two precious gems in his stunning face. Enough to bring a man like me to his knees and thank whatever gods of beauty and lust had crafted him.
“Xavier… You’re…” My eyes watered yet again. “You’re back? You’re not dead?”
“No. I’m here, Roman.”
“Oh my God… I’m… I’m so sorry. For everything.” My heart, even if it was a device, got ready to burst.
“Don’t be, Roman. Don’t ever be sorry.”
I reached up, hands hovering inches away from his face. “I… I’m so happy to see you again. The real you.” Going onto tiptoes, I brought my lips closer, knowing full well they wouldn’t make contact, but gave zero fucks. As long as I was close to him, nothing else mattered for these next few moments.
“Roman…” He breathed against me. His cinnamon and violet scent enraptured my senses, sending me to giddy heights. “I really want to touch you.”
“Same.” Man, this cut deep. “So badly.”
